Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Just when you think you start figuring out the landscape of the NFL, along comes reality and kicks you in the teeth.

Let's see... in review, the Buccaneers beat the Lions in Detroit. The Cardinals pummel the Colts. The hapless Jaguars beat the Texans (a team I thought would be a contender for the AFC crown this season). The Rams destroy the Bears. The Peyton Manning led Broncos give up a 24 point lead.... really?

Nothing can be taken for granted and nothing is what it seems in the NFL world this time of year. Just expect the unexpected and you'll be just fine.

Yes, it was a crazy week. And it's only going to get crazier.

WEEK 12

Saints TE Jimmy Graham has six games this season with at least 100 yards receiving. That is tied for most in a season by a tight end in NFL history (Tony Gonzalez has done it twice).

Saints QB Drew Brees moved into fifth place in all-time passing yards, surpassing Hall of Famer Warren Moon. He needs just 34 more yards to become just the fifth player in NFL history to pass for 50,000 yards... and he's only 33 years old.

The Vikings and Packers played to a disappointing tie. The only other tie between these two teams was on November 26, 1978.

Playing to a tie just doesn't feel right. That's probably the only thing Packers and Vikings fans can agree on in this intense rivalry.

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is 16-1 against the Browns, which is tied for best record by any quarterback against a single opponent (Roger Staubach vs. Giants).

The Chiefs allowed 41 points against the Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium. Prior to Sunday, the Chiefs defense had given up a total of 63 points at home this season.

Bears RB Matt Forte passed Neal Anderson for the second most rushing yards in Bears franchise history. He is now a mere 10,550 yards behind franchise leader Walter Payton.

There was a time not that long ago when the NFC West was the weakest division in the league. Now, it might be the best. Keep an eye on the Rams, folks. Jeff Fisher is working his magic again.

Rams WR Tavon Austin is the only player with three touchdowns of greater than 65 yards this season.

...have I ever mentioned that Tavon Austin is really f*#king fast?

Redskins QB Robert Griffin III has fumbled the ball 23 times in 25 games.

Pretty much sums up RGIII's (and the Redskins') season, doesn't it?

The Carolina Panthers defeated the Miami Dolphins for the first time in franchise history.

The Houston Texans are inexplicably horrible. Then they cut S Ed Reed, their biggest free agent acquisition during the offseason, for speaking the truth. This franchise is suddenly on an out-of-control, downward spiral. I did not see this coming.

With one of the best defenders in the league (JJ Watt), one of the best running backs in the league (Arian Foster) and one of the best receivers in the league (Andre Johnson), I thought this was the year the Texans were going to make their mark.

The Titans had a 300-yard passer and two 100-yard receivers in a game for the first time since December 19, 2004.

Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald is the youngest player to reach 11,000 yards receiving.

...and Fitzgerald now has 14 games with at least two touchdowns, which is tied for most in Cardinals franchise history (Ollie Matson).

Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas is the first player in Broncos franchise history to record back-to-back seasons with 10 touchdown receptions.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

The intensity is starting to amp up in the NFL and in fantasy football. It is palpable. Week 11 is in the books and the vice is beginning to tighten. The division races are coming down to the wire. There are big games coming in the next few weeks. It is crunch time.

It was another interesting week with more milestones reached and records set. Let's take a look.

WEEK 11

The Bengals scored 31 points in the second quarter, which is a franchise record for most points scored in any quarter.

Patriots QB Tom Brady made his 185th start with Bill Belichick as head coach, which is the most starts by a quarterback under one head coach in NFL history.

Broncos TE Julius Thomas has 10 touchdown receptions, which is the most for a Broncos tight end since Shannon Sharpe (1998).

Lions WR Calvin Johnson had six receptions for 179 yards and two touchdowns in the first half... and absolutely nothing the second half. Goose eggs, all around. Amazing.

Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez now has 16 seasons with at least 50 receptions. Only Jerry Rice has more (17 seasons).

The Raiders (yes, the Raiders!) have scored a touchdown on five opening drives this season, tied with the Broncos for most in the league.

In the same play, Lions QB Matt Stafford became the leading passer in Lions franchise history (16,005 yds), and completed his 100th career touchdown pass. I hope he kept that ball.

Raiders QB Matt McGloin is just the second undrafted free agent since 1967 to throw three touchdowns, no interceptions and win his first NFL start (the Browns Todd Philcox also did it 1992).

Saints WR Marquis Colston passed Eric Martin as the all-time leading receiver in Saints franchise history.

The Jaguars are -189 in net points. Meaning, they have given up 189 more points than they have scored. That's really bad.

Actual ad from a Jacksonville newspaper this weekend.

Packers K Mason Crosby's 57 yard field goal against the Giants was the second-longest in Packers' history. It was also the longest field goal ever allowed by the New York Giants.

Redskins LB London "Iron Man" Fletcher is just the fourth player in league history to play in at least 250 consecutive games (joining Jeff Feagles, Brett Favre and Jim Marshall).

Jaguars DE Jason Babin ripped a handful of dreadlocks from Cardinals RB Andre Ellington's head. (Sorry, but I honestly laughed out loud!)

Legal:

I wish Babin played for the Redskins. Yeah, that's politically incorrect and totally funny.

Illegal:

Can't hit 'em low, can't hit 'em high.

The Broncos and Chiefs are both 9-1. This is the first time since 1948 that two teams in the same division start 9-1 or better.

The Eagles won their first home game in 413 days.

Broncos QB Peyton Manning has thrown for a touchdown in 33 straight games. He also set a single season record for touchdown passes for a player aged 37 years or older.

Oh, and Manning has the most passing yards in league history through 10 games.

Amazing, but true: Buccaneers RB Bobby Rainey is the first player in franchise history to rush for two or more touchdowns and have a touchdown reception in the same game. Rainey was an undrafted free agent in 2012, cut by both the Ravens and Browns.

Rainey is a Western Kentucky alumni; one of 23 Hilltoppers to ever play in the NFL.

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Who Do I Think I Am?

A nearly-legendary fantasy football guru and writer, first bitten by the fantasy football bug in 1991. A life-long (and long-suffering) Vikings fan. BA in History, University of Minnesota ('92). A published author and Top Three finalist in Minneapolis Star Tribune's "Joe Fan" columnist contest. In the real world, I'm a registered nurse, working with machines that go "Ping!"